Chapter 20 Truth Trial and Farewell
Stop right there Chhayagrasini (a witch like entity who drains age and life force). The voice echoed sharp and clear.
The Chhayagrasini spun around. Her blazing golden eyes went wide. Her black jagged nails froze in midair. She released Bhaskar's throat and stepped back. Bhaskar collapsed to the floor coughing violently. Arushi rushed to him patting his back helping him to his feet.
The Chhayagrasini's gaze locked onto the doorway. Her lips trembled. A whisper escaped her. You. Kiyan. You. You came back.
Arushi and Bhaskar turned. Kiyan stood in the doorway. His clothes were dry. His hair was slightly tangled. But his eyes held that same golden living glow. He was smiling.
The Chhayagrasini shot toward him in a blur and wrapped him in a crushing embrace. Kiyan held his mother just as tightly. Their embrace was filled with relief anguish and a joy that could not be put into words. The Chhayagrasini's shoulders trembled faintly. You. You came back. My life has finally come back.
Kiyan smiled. Yes Maa. I am back.
He stepped forward. He walked over to where Aarav lay on the bed and sat down beside him. He stroked Aarav's head gently running his fingers through his hair. Wake up Aarav. Wake up. I have returned.
Aarav's eyelids fluttered. Slowly his eyes opened. His vision was blurry at first unable to focus. Then little by little the outline of the face in front of him sharpened. Those same golden eyes. That same faint smile.
Ki. yan. Aarav's voice was heavy choked with emotion.
Then like a dam breaking Aarav jerked upright and threw his arms around Kiyan clinging to him. Kiyan. You. You are okay. You came back.
Kiyan held him tightly. Yes. I came back Aarav.
Aarav pulled back just enough to look at him. Tears filled his eyes. Promise me. You will not leave me again.
Kiyan smiled and nodded. I promise.
They stayed like that staring into each other's eyes. A silent conversation. Fear relief and a deep newly reborn love all tangled together. Their smiles completed each other.
The Chhayagrasini stood at a distance watching them both. A complicated expression crossed her face. A flicker of something soft then hardness. She turned away and dug her nails into her own palms as if suppressing some feeling she could not name.
Bhaskar and Arushi approached Kiyan. Bhaskar's face was heavy with shame and remorse. Kiyan. Are you alright. Forgive me. I misjudged you so badly. Kiyan please forgive me.
Kiyan smiled at him. It is alright. Do not blame yourself. This was my duty. Then he looked back at Aarav. Aarav gave him a faint tired smile.
Arushi spoke. You kept your promise Kiyan. You saved Aarav and you saved Papa too. If you had not been there I might have lost both of them.
Kiyan said I did not do it alone. If Aarav had not been with me none of this would have been possible.
Aarav looked at Kiyan and asked Kiyan. How did you get out of that pond.
Kiyan met his eyes and said When the guardian set the condition. A life for a life to protect the Neelmukhi flower. I threw myself into that pond. I fell deep inside it. Down there the guardian told me that the Neelmukhi flower belongs only to a Devanshik (a divinely blessed one who wields divine power). Centuries ago the descendants of the Devanshik themselves planted that flower and I was stationed there to guard it. But. The flower must go to the right hands. To its true heir. Only a Devanshik with a pure heart should receive it. That is why I tested both of you.
He paused. A deep knowing glowed in his eyes. Both of you proved that you would give your lives for each other. In the truest sense Aarav was the only rightful claimant to that flower. My only role was to test you. Now go. I grant you safe passage out of here. Because something is coming. Something you cannot even begin to imagine.
Before he could finish the thought Kiyan said I tried to ask him more but before I could he transported me outside the lake onto a Himalayan peak. And then I came straight here. To you.
The Chhayagrasini had been listening. She rushed to Kiyan at full speed. Enough. Leave this place now Kiyan. When will you stop throwing your life into danger for these humans. And this guardian. All these words. Do you even know if they are true. Humans cannot be trusted. Come with me now my child.
Kiyan looked at Aarav. Take care Aarav. Then he turned toward his mother and walked away.
The Chhayagrasini glanced back one last time. At Aarav. He caught something in her eyes. A warning. Some kind of pity. Fear. But he let the look pass without acknowledgment.
And then he started thinking. Over and over. The same warning. The one you trust will be the one who harms you. Is it me. Or my Devanshik powers. Will they end up hurting Kiyan. What is this secret.
As Kiyan walked out through the door he turned around one final time. His gaze met Aarav's. There were no words in that moment but an entire conversation passed between them. A promise. A warning. And a farewell soaked in the hope of meeting again.
Then they were gone. Silence swallowed the room. A broken door. Scattered belongings. And three stunned confused people left behind. Aarav could still feel the cold of the Neelmukhi flower in his hand. But pressing down on his heart was the warm mysterious weight of Kiyan's final glance.
What would happen next. What did the guardian's warning mean. And that fear hidden in the Chhayagrasini's eyes. What was it about.
The mystery was deepening. And now Aarav knew. His and Kiyan's story was not over yet. A new chapter had just begun. One far more tangled than the last.
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